Method and apparatus for the randomized storage of printouts

Abstract

A method and apparatus for printing and storing transaction records in a random manner is provided. A printer is coupled to a storage tray wherein the storage tray or the contents thereof are moved, shifted, or shuffled to randomize the storage of printouts in the storage tray and prevent the storage of sequentially generated printouts. A shifting mechanism, a blowing mechanism, or a combination thereof, is used to shift the storage tray or move or shuffle the printouts in a storage tray, and algorithms are used to set the motion of the shifting or blowing mechanism, or combination thereof.

1 . A method of storing transaction records in a random manner, comprising:
 printing a transaction record; and   storing the transaction record in a storage tray including a randomizing mechanism that randomizes a storage location for the transaction record as the transaction record is placed in the storage tray.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the randomizing mechanism is a blowing mechanism that shifts the transaction record as the transaction record is stored in the storage tray. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the randomizing mechanism is a shifting mechanism that shifts the storage tray as the transaction record is stored in the storage tray. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the randomizing mechanism is a shifting mechanism that shifts the transaction record inside the storage tray. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the randomizing mechanism comprises a blowing mechanism and a shifting mechanism. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising activating the randomizing mechanism in a constant manner. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising activating the randomizing mechanism for a predetermined length of time. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising activating the randomizing mechanism in a random manner. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the transaction record is printed on supply paper having indicia for marking a form, the method further comprising reading the supply paper to determine the form. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising voiding the transaction record if the transaction record is improperly printed. 
     
     
         11 . A printer for storing transaction records in a random manner, comprising:
 means for printing a transaction record; and   means storing the transaction record in a storage tray including a means for randomizing a storage location for the transaction record as the transaction record is placed in the storage tray.   
     
     
         12 . The printer of  claim 11 , wherein the means for randomizing is a blowing mechanism that shifts the transaction record as the transaction record is stored in the storage tray. 
     
     
         13 . The printer of  claim 11 , wherein the means for randomizing is a shifting mechanism that shifts the storage tray as the transaction record is stored in the storage tray. 
     
     
         14 . The printer of  claim 11 , wherein the means for randomizing is a shifting mechanism that shifts the transaction record inside the storage tray. 
     
     
         15 . The printer of  claim 11 , wherein the means for randomizing comprises a blowing mechanism and a shifting mechanism. 
     
     
         16 . The printer of  claim 11 , further comprising means for activating the means for randomizing in a constant manner. 
     
     
         17 . The printer of  claim 11 , further comprising means for activating the means for randomizing for a predetermined length of time. 
     
     
         18 . The printer of  claim 11 , further comprising means for activating the means for randomizing in a random manner. 
     
     
         19 . The printer of  claim 11 , wherein the transaction record is printed on supply paper having indicia for marking a form, the printer further comprising means for reading the supply paper to determine the form. 
     
     
         20 . The printer of  claim 11 , further comprising means for voiding the transaction record if the transaction record is improperly printed.